HC to hear CM's appeal over prosecution on Nov 23

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

A Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court will hear on November 23 the appeal filed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, challenging the Governor's sanction to prosecute him in the alleged MUDA scam case. As reported by the Bar ad Bench earlier in September, a single-judge bench had dismissed Siddaramaiah's plea against the Governor's sanction, which allowed legal proceedings against him. In response, the Chief Minister filed an appeal before the Division Bench. Senior Counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Siddaramaiah, urged for an expedited hearing, which the bench, led by Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind, accepted. The case revolves around allegations of corruption in the grant of land by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to CM's wife, Parvathi.

The complaint alleges that Parvathi received inflated compensation after MUDA illegally developed land, which was initially acquired, de-notified, and bought by her brother. Siddaramaiah contends that he had no role in the decision, and the Governor’s sanction was issued without proper consideration as per the Bar and Bench report. In July, the Governor granted permission for prosecution, following complaints by activists. Siddaramaiah's challenge was rejected by the High Court in September, leading to the current appeal.